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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

An Open Letter To Representative Ike Skelton, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee:

Dear Representative Skelton,I am the Father of a 7 year old child. And I am a homosexual. In fact, so is my daughter's other father, my husband. So you can imagine that we've had to deal with the issue of how to talk with our child about homosexuality.And far from it being scary or frightening - it's actually a pretty simple conversation.Here it is in 7-year-old-speak:

Some men fall in love with women. Some men fall in love with men.

Love is love, and everyone who finds love is very fortunate.

or,

Some women fall in love with men. Some women fall in love with women.

Love is love, and everyone who finds love is very fortunate.

There. That wasn't that hard, was it?So now you don't have any reason to object to the "national conversation on homosexuality" you're so afraid that repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell will bring about.'Cause all those mommies and daddies - and even you - well now everyone will know what to say.

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said Tuesday that he thought the military should keep its ban on openly gay service members in part because he did not want to open a national discussion about homosexuality. The chairman, Representative Ike Skelton, a conservative Missouri Democrat, said he thought the debate in Congress over the proposed repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy might force families to explain homosexuality to their children. “What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?” Mr. Skelton asked reporters at a news media breakfast.

Wanna sign the petition to demand an apology from Rep. Skelton? Go here!

Love the letter, Lee. At my library I occasionally encounter parents (and even other librarians, unfortunately) who talk about "not being ready" to discuss x, y, or z with their children. And that's exactly what it is: it's adults, not children, who aren't ready for these conversations. Adults can choose the appropriate level of detail/discourse based on their child's maturity, but IMO there's a way to talk about everything in the world, if you boil it down to simple terms like "happy" and "sad," "hurt" and "help" and "love."

That's a great letter, Lee. I love your daughter's family portrait also.

A couple of years ago I brought home And Tango Makes Three to show to my then 13-year old daughter and explained to her that it was the most banned library book in the country. She couldn't understand why someone wouldn't like that book...it's not the kids with the problems, that's for sure.

Put in your simple terms, Lee, you'd have to wonder why so many parents are troubled by the discussion. If the parent's viewpoint includes "we don't believe that man should love a man, etc" the trouble with them must be in owning up to it. They'll have to reveal their bigotry to their children and face whatever consequences unfold thereafter. Easier to just to wish it all away.

Thank you, Lee, for this simple, yet thorough explanation. Recently my 7-year-old nephew asked me what a "homo" was, (after hearing one of his uncles joking call another uncle that term.) I really didn't know what to say, or how to explain it to a child, so I quickly changed the subject. This is such an simple way to answer the question in terms they can easily understand. Now to explain it to the adults . . .

Daniel - good point about the parents not wanting to be shamed about their own prejudices. That's going to be happening more and more... And I too, struggled with demanding an apology from him - but I guess it helps keep him accountable for saying uneducated things, and that's a good goal.

Thank you Laurie, it's really giving everyone the tools to talk about gay people being - at the core of it all - people, too, that will change our world.

The Small Print: How To Recommend Books To Include, and a Disclaimer

Don't see your favorite Book here? First do a search in the top left search box. Then check my "Books Still To Come" list. If you still don't see it, just click on "Contact Me" and leave me a note. I appreciate all your help making this blogsite a comprehensive resource! Also, when you've read one of the books listed, help other visitors out by adding a review.

Submission Guidelines: If you are an author or publisher, I do not generally accept review copies, since I don't really review the books featured on this blog - My goal is to let readers review them. All I need is a synopsis (including what's significantly GLBTQ about the book - so I know why I should include it here), a link to the author website or some online info or interview with the author, and the book's release date (as I don't post on books before they are available to the public.) Please make sure to include your contact info so I can follow up with you!

Disclaimer: Having said that, some of the books discussed on this blog may have been provided by the author or publisher. While some Links when you click on a book cover image will take you to a bookstore online (as one option of how you can get the book), I do not currently have any commission or credit arrangement for linked purchases. The opinions expressed on this blog, unless they're a comment from someone else, are my own.

Please, be kind and patient with each other, with yourselves, and, well - with me. Thanks! Lee